Friday was a spectacular day in the Kersh household. It was the day that our third child, Alizabeth Hope, officially became a Kersh. For those of you who don't know Alizabeth (Lizzie) was born on April 12, 2010. Eight minutes after her birth she was placed into our arms and that is where she has been ever since. Needless to say that was an incredible day. As it was when all our children were born. But there was something special that took place this past Friday, March 4th 2011. On that day we were privileged to see an amazing picture of the grace of our Lord Jesus.
At times I think it is hard for the follower of the Jesus to fully understand the significance of our adoption by God through His Son. Sure we know that we are His children. But what does that mean. On Friday when the judge signed the finale papers, he was saying this child now has a new name. She has a new birth certificate. She even has a new place of residence. She is now entitle to all the rights and privileges that come from being apart of your family. You see, this is the reality that every Christ follower has. The moment that Jesus died on the cross, the finale papers were signed. So when you and I trust in Christ alone for our salvation we were given a new name. We were given a new birth certificate because our name was written in the Lamb's book of life. We were given a new residence, heaven. We were given all the rights and privileges of being called children of God.
As great as Friday was and as great as our Lord is for doing what he has done in my family with the gift of three wonderful, beautiful children. The truth is, even if God had never done any of the things He has done, He would still be great! The truth is even if the unthinkable would have happened and Lizzie would have been removed from our home, for whatever reason, Our God would still be great! Even if one day, all that we have is striped away from us our God will still be great and be worthy of our praise. You see, we must praise God for what he has done, but even more importantly we must praise Him for who He is. He is God and He lives! Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because He lives I can face the future. And this life is worth living only because He lives. That should be a song.
So here is my challenge to you, take some time to praise the Lord. Not just for some of the things He has done, but also for Him just being God! One sure way to change your family tree is to place God in His rightful place in your life and your home. Speak justly of Him. Make much of Him when you lie down, when you rise up and as you walk by the way. Tell of His infinite wisdom and be determined to change your family tree.
Paul Kersh
Family Tree Ministries
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Just a little more time!
Well it's been awhile since I have written anything, as you might have noticed. But in recent days I'm reminded of some very important things that I think are worth spending some time talking about.
Let's begin with "time". Time is something you never have enough of. It is something you wish you had back and it is something that sometimes doesn't go by fast enough. I can remember in high school wishing that time would hurry up. Now as a parent there never seems to be enough and I am always wanting more.
This week with another snow fall in Oklahoma, I had yet another snow day from work. The kids were wanting to go sledding and I had told them I would take them. However, it was bitterly cold and there were other things I could have done. But if I didn't go it would be one of those things that dad said he would do and didn't. So off to the frozen tundra we went. Besides the truck getting stuck and me almost breaking my foot we had a great time. We really did have a fun time! But when that event was over I thought to my self, "one day my children won't have time to go sledding or even want to." They are growing so fast and they need my time now.
That leads me to my next issue, death! Yes I know it's morbid and most people don't want to talk about death, but the Word of God tells us that we will all die so we might as well dive right in. Time is going so fast, it seems like yesterday I was 18 heading off to college with the world by the tail. Now I'm 39 wondering where the last 21 years went. Someday, and it will feel very soon I'm sure, I will be in my later years of life wondering where the last 50 years have gone. I will be looking death right in the face and probably longing for it to come. So this leads me to my question. Who do you want around you when you are lying on your death bed? Dad, will all your customers or clients or work friends be there as you enter into eternity? Probably not. Mom, are all your social clubs and charity work friends going to be there? Probably not. Pastor, will all the people that you spent countless hours preaching to and serving to going to be there? I doubt it. But it will be the ones you know best and love the most. Your children and grandchildren. The ones that carry your name that live out your character. The ones that carry on your legacy. Those are the ones that will be there when you die. Those are the ones we need to invest in now.
This takes me to my finale thought for today. Grandparents! Some of the most significant people in my life were my grandparents and particularly my grandfathers. They were significant and meaningful to me because of a couple different reasons. One because of their character! They were stand up men who loved the Lord and followed after His high standards. They spent their entire lives trying to be fully devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The second reason they were significant to me is because they invested in me. They took time to speak truth into my life and because they had spent time with me they had earned the right to speak truth into my life. Here's the thing, if you as a grandparent don't take time to spend with your grandchildren you don't earn the right to guide them through tough or challenging times in their lives. If those grandchildren don't see you as wanting to invest in them they are not going to listen when they need to be listening. And all it takes is a little time! Once again we are back around to "time".
If you are a parent take time to be dad or mom! Go sledding! Have a tea party! Play dress up! At the end of the day those children are the ones that are going to be there as you take the journey into the sunset of your life (thank you Ronald Reagan for that line).
If you are a grandparent, take time to earn your right to speak truth into the lives of your grandchildren. They will love you for it more than you could ever imagine.
These are some ways you can change your family tree. Don't be afraid to give it a shot if you want to leave a legacy that last for generations.
Paul Kersh
Family Tree Ministries
Let's begin with "time". Time is something you never have enough of. It is something you wish you had back and it is something that sometimes doesn't go by fast enough. I can remember in high school wishing that time would hurry up. Now as a parent there never seems to be enough and I am always wanting more.
This week with another snow fall in Oklahoma, I had yet another snow day from work. The kids were wanting to go sledding and I had told them I would take them. However, it was bitterly cold and there were other things I could have done. But if I didn't go it would be one of those things that dad said he would do and didn't. So off to the frozen tundra we went. Besides the truck getting stuck and me almost breaking my foot we had a great time. We really did have a fun time! But when that event was over I thought to my self, "one day my children won't have time to go sledding or even want to." They are growing so fast and they need my time now.
That leads me to my next issue, death! Yes I know it's morbid and most people don't want to talk about death, but the Word of God tells us that we will all die so we might as well dive right in. Time is going so fast, it seems like yesterday I was 18 heading off to college with the world by the tail. Now I'm 39 wondering where the last 21 years went. Someday, and it will feel very soon I'm sure, I will be in my later years of life wondering where the last 50 years have gone. I will be looking death right in the face and probably longing for it to come. So this leads me to my question. Who do you want around you when you are lying on your death bed? Dad, will all your customers or clients or work friends be there as you enter into eternity? Probably not. Mom, are all your social clubs and charity work friends going to be there? Probably not. Pastor, will all the people that you spent countless hours preaching to and serving to going to be there? I doubt it. But it will be the ones you know best and love the most. Your children and grandchildren. The ones that carry your name that live out your character. The ones that carry on your legacy. Those are the ones that will be there when you die. Those are the ones we need to invest in now.
This takes me to my finale thought for today. Grandparents! Some of the most significant people in my life were my grandparents and particularly my grandfathers. They were significant and meaningful to me because of a couple different reasons. One because of their character! They were stand up men who loved the Lord and followed after His high standards. They spent their entire lives trying to be fully devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The second reason they were significant to me is because they invested in me. They took time to speak truth into my life and because they had spent time with me they had earned the right to speak truth into my life. Here's the thing, if you as a grandparent don't take time to spend with your grandchildren you don't earn the right to guide them through tough or challenging times in their lives. If those grandchildren don't see you as wanting to invest in them they are not going to listen when they need to be listening. And all it takes is a little time! Once again we are back around to "time".
If you are a parent take time to be dad or mom! Go sledding! Have a tea party! Play dress up! At the end of the day those children are the ones that are going to be there as you take the journey into the sunset of your life (thank you Ronald Reagan for that line).
If you are a grandparent, take time to earn your right to speak truth into the lives of your grandchildren. They will love you for it more than you could ever imagine.
These are some ways you can change your family tree. Don't be afraid to give it a shot if you want to leave a legacy that last for generations.
Paul Kersh
Family Tree Ministries
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